Gunupur, Jan, 01: As part of the sub-divisional level Chaiti festival, a Kalash (sacred pot) procession was held today in Gunupur. The procession started from the Jagannath Temple and passed through Old Gunupur Square, Bypass Square, New Bus Stand, Old Bus Stand, and finally reached the festival venue at the centenary Government High School ground near Seva Samaj.
The colorful procession covered nearly 7 kilometers around the town before reaching the festival ground. After the Chaiti festivals had already begun in various block areas of Rayagada district, the sub-divisional level Chaiti festival, “Idital”, has now officially commenced.
On this occasion, under the chairmanship of Gunupur Sub-Collector Dudhai Abhishek Dilip, the three-day festival will be held from today at the Government High School ground.
During the procession, the public, students from educational institutions, artists, women, public representatives, government employees, and political leaders enthusiastically danced to the tunes of various traditional musical instruments, folk dances, cultural performances, and traditional songs. The procession presented many eye-catching and lively scenes.
A special attraction of the event was that Gunupur MLA Satyajit Gamang was seen playing traditional musical instruments, while young IAS officer and Gunupur Sub-Collector Dudhai Abhishek Dilip played the dhol and gini and danced along with the crowd. Inspired by the beats played by the MLA, the Sub-Collector, administrative officers, and political leaders also joined in the dancing.
Those present at the event included Gunupur Sub-Collector, Gunupur BDO Swastik Jamadar, and other government officials. Among the dignitaries who participated were MLA Satyajit Gamang, Gunupur Municipal Chairperson Mamata Goud, Vice-Chairperson Shiva Prasad Goud, Gunupur Block Vice-Chairperson Sudarshan Sabar, Vice-President of Gandhi Engineering College Chandradwaj Panda, BJD leaders Ram Panda and Bishnu Panda, BJP leaders Y. Ganapati, Uday Padhi, Kirgi Kumar Panda, Rayagada District Congress President Akshaya Bas, advocate Ramesh Lima, and social worker Pinki Mohapatra.
To maintain law and order during the procession, Gunupur Police Station Officer K.K.B. Kahnar and SI Ranjit Tripathy were present and successfully carried out their responsibilities.